ASPARTAME; CARCINOGENIC; WHO; DIET COKE
18 JULY 2023
In one of the more contradictory stories of recent times, the World Health Organization declared the artificial sweetener aspartame to be potentially carcinogenic, but also said it was okay to consume.
In this BALANCER, we look at the joint findings from two separate WHO bodies, to figure out if a can of diet soda could be cancer-causing, or if the risk is being blown out of proportion.
INTRODUCTION
THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT DIET COKE
It is about Aspartame 22839-47-0 - an artificial sweetener commonly used in foods and drinks, which is 200 times sweeter than sucrose (the main component of white sugar).
Unfortunately for the Coca-Cola Company, Diet Coke has become something of a byword for products with artificial sweeteners - certainly for diet soda drinks - when of course aspartame is used in many products and brands (including its main rival PepsiCo!)
And just as aspartame has long been used in consumable products, it has also long been linked with health concerns.
But how did two bodies from within the World Health Organization come up with seemingly contradictory views on aspartame?
The key is in separating out exactly what each body was investigating...
THE TWO GROUPS AND THEIR FINDINGS
JOINT EXPERT COMMITTEE ON FOOD ADDITIVES
JECFA is a collaboration between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
This was its third assessment of aspartame, and it concluded that:
- the data evaluated indicated "no sufficient reason to change the previously established acceptable daily intake of 0-40 mg/kg of body weight";
- it is is safe for a person to consume within this limit per day;
- for a can of diet soda containing 200 or 300 mg of aspartame, an adult weighing 70kg would need to consume more than 9–14 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake.
INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR RESEARCH ON CANCER
IARC is a specialised cancer agency run by the World Health Organization (WHO).
This was the first time the group had looked into the potential carcinogenic qualities of aspartame, and it concluded:
- aspartame would now be classified as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B) on the basis of limited evidence for cancer in humans;
- the specific health concern is for hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer;
- there was also limited evidence for cancer in experimental animals and limited evidence related to the possible mechanisms for causing cancer.
THE EVIDENCE IS LIMITED...
... AND BOTH GROUPS SAY MORE RESEARCH IS NEEDED
The IARC uses the phrase 'limited evidence' a number of times in its findings, and this is key.
Both evaluations noted "limitations in the available evidence" for cancer (and other health effects) with the joint report concluding:
“... while safety is not a major concern at the doses which are commonly used, potential effects have been described that need to be investigated by more and better studies.”
In other words, there are indications of potential carcinogenic properties, but it's not yet definitive - hence the lower rating on the scale.
WHERE IS ASPARTAME ON THE 'CARCINOGENIC SCALE'?
On a scale with four levels, aspartame is at the second level.
It is POSSIBLY carcinogenic, and is on a par with engine exhaust, aloe vera leaf extract, and some Asian pickled vegetables.
Click here for a complete list of substances and mixtures in the IARC Group 2B.
WHAT TYPE OF PRODUCTS CONTAIN ASPARTAME?
Types of diet sodas, sugar-free drinks, chewing gums, mints, sweets, yoghurts, breakfast cereals, artificial sweeteners (e.g. Equal, Sweet'n Low, Nutrasweet, Splenda) cough lozenges, cold and flu drinks, and mouthwash.
The Washington Post has a 59-page searchable document, naming hundreds of brands and products which contain aspartame:
Is aspartame in your favorite food? Check this list.
WASHINGTON POST
13 July 2023
AND HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE IT?
- Coca-Cola Original is the ONLY drink to contain sugar and calories
- NONE of the three main brands have any fat content
- Diet Coke contains MORE sodium than the other two brands
- Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is the ONLY drink labelled as containing potassium
- According to the Coca-Cola Company, the difference between Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke is "the taste. Both drinks are sugar free and calorie free. Coca‑Cola zero sugar looks and tastes more like Coca‑Cola original taste, while Diet Coke has a different blend of flavours which gives it a lighter taste."
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER COCA-COLA LIFE?
FOR SEVEN YEARS, THERE WAS ALSO 'GREEN COKE'
Developed from five years of research in Argentina and Chile, Coca-Cola Life was another, comparatively brief diversion in the world of low-sugar sodas.
Coca-Cola Life was made using stevia - a sugar substitute made from the leaves of the stevia plant, which is native to South America. Like aspartame, it is 100 to 300 times sweeter than regular sugar, but has no carbohydrates, calories, or artificial ingredients.
However Coca-Cola Life couldn't be given the 'no sugar' label held by its cousins Diet and Zero Sugar, because it was made using regular sugar as well. In fact, it used only one-third less sugar than the Original drink.
Life was replaced by Coca-Cola Stevia No Sugar in some markets before the brand was discontinued in 2020.
MORE READING
Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results released
WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION
14 July 2023
What is aspartame and is it safe?
COCA-COLA COMPANY AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND NUTRITION FOUNDATION
14 July 2022
